Self-luminous ash tray



Feb. 15, 1949. H H. JACOBS 2,461,549 SIELFLUMINOUS ASH "-TRAY Filed July 14, 1945 kl 2/ Z0 2o I v INVENTOR. He/en Hu/l Jacobs ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) This invention refers to self-luminous ashtrays for use under conditions of darkness when regular illumination would be detrimental or undesired such as in sleeping rooms, on porches, and the like, or for use aboard ship or at shore stations in ward rooms or where ever desired during periods when blackout conditions prevail and when direct illumination is objectionable or undesirable but where it would be desirable to readily locate or identify an ash tray in the dark.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved ash-tray having a self-luminous portion whose glowing surface is shielded from direct view.

Further objects and advantages of this invention as well as method of construction and arrangement will be apparent from the following description and claims in connection with the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is an isometric View, partly in section, of an ash tray embodying the invention.

The ash-tray I8 is of any suitable shape or design and formed from any suitable material and is provided with upright walls 20. The upper border of the walls 20 comprises the overhanging ledge II, which, in the embodiment shown, is rolled or bent inwardly within the bounds of the walls 20, and reentrant downwardly as illustrated. The overhanging ledge ll provides a recess l2 on the underside thereof, wherein is affixed in any suitable manner a coating of any suitable selfluminous or phosphorescent material capable of emitting a desired glow during darkness.

The overhanging ledge H, and the self-luminous material being disposed on the under surface thereof in the recess l2, serves to orient the glow as indicated by the arrows, to prevent the direct glow of the phosphorescent material in the recess l2 from being seen directly, but permits its reflection from the inside surfaces of the tray to be readily discernable at short distances.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

10 1. An ash tray comprising a container and an overhanging ledge, a self-luminous material applied to the under surface of the ledge and positioned shielded thereby.

2. An ash tray comprising a container, up-

right walls bounding the container, and an overhanging ledge comprising the upper border of the walls, self-luminous material applied to the under surface of the ledge and positioned shielded thereby.

3. An ash tray comprising a container, upright walls bounding the container, and an overhanging ledge directed inwardly and reentrant downwardly, and comprising the upper border of the walls, self-luminous, material applied to the under surface of the ledge and positioned shielded thereby.

HELEN HULL JACOBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Aug. 23, 1932 

